Manchester United forward Matheus Cunha is a doubt for the clash with Everton amid injury fears following a training ground accident
Matheus Cunha could miss Manchester United's Premier League return against Everton on Monday night
Matheus Cunha could miss Manchester United's Premier League return against Everton on Monday night
View Image
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has been left sweating this weekend over the fitness of Matheus Cunha ahead of the Premier League return vs Everton on Monday night. On Friday, the Portuguese head coach confirmed Benjamin Sesko would miss the next few weeks due to a knee injury suffered in the draw at Tottenham.
However, a statement from an unlikely source has subsequently cast doubt over the fitness of Cunha. On Saturday evening, the Brazilian was due to switch the Christmas lights on in Altrincham but the organisers announced the forward had been forced to pull out.
In a statement, VisitAltrincham confirmed: "Unfortunately, Matheus Cunha has had an accident in training today and will not be able to attend tonight’s Christmas Lights Switch on in Altrincham due to medical reasons."
So far, there has been no indication from United as to how bad the issue is. If Cunha is to miss the Reds' clash with Everton on Monday night, this leaves Amorim with plenty to think about in regards his team selection. Missing two players who the United boss has tended to favour in attack could lead to an interesting forward line.
From new roles to a fringe player returning to the fore, MEN Sport has taken a look at three ways United could line-up if Cunha is missing on Monday night against Everton and beyond.
New role
United were always likely to deploy the false nine system on Monday night due to Sesko's absence. Ordinarily in the strikerless formation, Cunha would sit at the top of the attack but if he is not fit, that role could be given to Bryan Mbeumo.
Playing as a centre-forward is a position which Mbeumo knows fairly well from his time at Brentford. In his last four appearances leading the attack for the Bees in the Premier League, he scored four goals so he clearly knows how to play the role.
If the Reds were to start Mbeumo in the advanced role, Mason Mount and Amad are the ones most likely to feature behind him. Mount did well in his cameo role at Spurs and while the Ivorian has become more dangerous in the wider role, he can still impact the game positively from the No.10 position.
Fringe player returns
There is a consensus that Joshua Zirkzee's time at Old Trafford is coming to an end. The Dutchman has played just 90 minutes over five sub appearances for the Reds and we can expect Zirkzee to request an exit in January as he launches a last gasp bid for a World Cup spot.
Earlier this week, when it became clear Sesko would be out, there was a feeling Zirkzee was about to discover his position at the club. Amorim favours a centre forward unless facing a team who are more likely to attack than sit back; so to choose the strikerless system would be to confirm the Dutchman is not in his plans.
Now Cunha could be out too and should Zirkzee be overlooked it would only further confirm his slipping position at Old Trafford. Were he to return, we could expect him to lead the line with Mbeumo and Amad in behind. On paper, this would be a good option but evidence suggests this will not be the route Amorim takes.
Mainoo recall
Kobbie Mainoo missed Friday's training session but Amorim was hopeful he could return to play a role vs Everton. Mainoo's role so far this season has been from the bench but with Cunha potentially absent he could be recalled.
Slotting in alongside Casemiro, Mainoo would then allow Bruno Fernandes to move further forward. It is clear the captain would prefer to play more advanced if the choice was given to him.
Alongside Amad, you could then keep Mbeumo in the false nine position. This would provide United with a strong attacking threat and plenty of creativity in the final third.